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Homeowners building garden sheds, sleepouts, or garages will face less red tape and fewer delays by the end of this year, according to the Government.
Cabinet has agreed to remove the minimum required distance between single storey buildings under 10 square metres and a property boundary or other residential building (setback distance). It has also agreed to reduce the setback distance to one metre for single storey buildings between 10 and 30 square metres.
Previously, garden sheds and other single storey detached buildings like sleep-outs or garages had to be as far from a boundary or residential building as they were tall. Anything closer than that required building consent.
“We’ve heard the frustration about this regulation through the Red Tape Tipline,” Regulation Minister David Seymour said. “Section sizes are shrinking, and the cost of living rising. Forcing people to put sheds in the middle of their lawn or pay for a consent to store tools doesn’t make sense.
“Today’s housing market means space is tight and building costs are high. These types of property developments are practical and affordable improvements. We want people to be able to utilise them without hassle.”
The changes will make it easier and cheaper for property owners to build structures such as:
- Garden sheds for storing tools and bikes
- Sleepouts or hobby spaces
- Small garages or workshops
The changes are expected to be in force before the end of this year.
